Food processor lid

ABSTRACT

A lid for a bowl of a food processor for processing a relatively large size or large volume of foodstuff including a top lid wall and a feed tube extending from the top lid wall along a feed axis. The feed tube including an inner feed surface defining a feed cavity and a mouth for accessing the feed cavity. A feed tube lid is movably secured to the mouth of the feed tube. A food pusher is movably mounted to the feed tube lid. The food pusher and feed tube lid cover the mouth of the feed tube when the feed tube lid and food pusher are in a working position. The food pusher is movable relative to the feed tube in first and second directions in the working position. The first direction is generally parallel to the feed axis and the second direction is generally perpendicular to the feed axis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/781,239 filed Feb. 18, 2004 entitled “Food Processor Lid” which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application is directed to processing foodstuff and, moreparticularly, to a food processor lid that that is configured for theprocessing of a relatively large size or a large volume of foodstuff.

Food processors commonly include a lid with a feed tube extendinggenerally perpendicularly from a lid top surface, a food pusher that isslideably positionable within the feed tube and a bowl with a mouth thatremovably receives the lid. The feed tube is used to insert food intothe bowl during processing and is sized to prevent a user's hand fromentering the bowl while the processing tool is in operation. Food may beinserted into the bowl through the feed tube during processing or afoodstuff that is sliced or grated by a rotating disk that is positionednear a rim of the bowl may be inserted through the feed tube.Specifically, Underwriters Laboratories food processor safetyrequirements demand a feed tube with an average inside diameter that isless than two and one-half inches (2.5″) with no dimension greater thanthree inches (3″) and that the processing tool must be recessed at leastfour inches (4″) below the mouth of the feed tube. UnderwritersLaboratories requirements also demand that if the average insidediameter of the feed tube is two inches (2″) or less, the distance thatthe tool must be below the plane of the feed tube may be reduced tothree and one-half inches (3.5″). The above-listed dimensions for a feedtube are directed to preventing a relatively small hand from beinginserted through the feed tube and into the bowl during operation.

Based upon the above-described safety limitations for the feed tube,only relatively small, long and narrow foodstuff may be inserted intothe bowl during processing. For example, many potatoes have a minordiameter or width of at least one and one-half inches (1.5″) and,therefore, only a single potato may be inserted into the feed tube forprocessing at one time. In addition, when grating or slicing a largevolume of foodstuff, an initial volume of foodstuff is positioned in therelatively small feed tube, a food pusher pushes the foodstuff onto therotating disk and into the bowl, the food pusher is removed from thefeed tube and the process is repeated multiple times until the largevolume of grated or sliced foodstuff is produced. Therefore, the size offoodstuff that may be processed and the time that it takes to process arelatively large volume of foodstuff is often prohibitive for foodprocessors with feed tubes that fall within the above-describeddimensional safety requirements.

Enlarged feed tubes or feed tubes that have feed dimensions that aregreater than the above-described safety dimensions often include coversover their mouths that limit access to the feed cavity and bowl duringprocessing. Such enlarged feed tubes may include a pivoting doorcomprising a side of the enlarged feed tube that actuates a safetyswitch when the door completely closes the feed tube, thereby denyingaccess to the feed cavity when the door is open. In addition, enlargedfeed tubes having enlarged food pushers that actuate safety switchesonly when the enlarged food pusher is positioned within or over theenlarged feed tube are used to process relatively large size or a largevolume of foodstuff. However, these prior art food processors often donot permit continuous feeding of foodstuff into the enlarged feed tubeduring processing. A safety switch often cuts power to a motor when thefeed cavity is exposed and processing is terminated until the feedcavity is closed or the enlarged food pusher is inserted into theenlarged feed tube thereby expanding processing time.

The preferred embodiment of the lid for a food processor in accordancewith the present application has an enlarged feed tube and permitsprocessing of relatively large size or a large volume of foodstuff. Thelid of the preferred embodiment also permits limited access to theenlarged feed tube during processing without disabling the cutting tool.The lid is generally simple to use and relatively easy to clean.Permitting access to the relatively large feed tube during operationpermits insertion of ingredients into the feed tube without disablingthe food processor. In addition, when the enlarged feed tube is exposedand a user's hand is insertable into the mouth of the enlarged feedtube, the lid of the of the preferred embodiment renders the tool andfood processor inoperative so a user's hand does not come into contactwith a rotating cutting tool. Accordingly, the food processor lid of thepreferred embodiment allows processing of relatively large size or arelatively large volume of foodstuff while maintaining safety.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the present application comprises a lid for abowl of a food processor for processing a relatively large size or alarge volume of foodstuff. The lid includes a top lid wall and a feedtube extending from the top lid wall along a feed axis. The feed tubeincludes an inner feed surface that defines a feed cavity and a mouthfor accessing the feed cavity. A feed tube lid is movably mounted to themouth of the feed tube. A food pusher is movably mounted on the feedtube lid. The food pusher and feed tube lid cover the mouth of the feedtube when the feed tube lid and food pusher are in a working position.The food pusher is movable relative to the feed tube in first and seconddirections in the working position. The first direction is generallyparallel to the feed axis and the second direction is generallyperpendicular to the feed axis.

In another aspect, a preferred embodiment is directed to a lid for abowl of a food processor for processing a relatively large size or alarge volume of foodstuff. The lid includes a top lid wall and a feedtube extending from the top lid wall. The feed tube includes acontinuous inner feed surface that defines a feed cavity. A movable gateis positioned within the feed cavity. The movable gate is movable withinthe feed cavity between an open position and a compacting position.

In yet another aspect, a preferred embodiment is directed to a lid forthe bowl of a food processor for processing a relatively large size or alarge volume of foodstuff. The lid includes a top lid wall and a feedtube extending from the top lid wall along a feed axis. The feed tubeincludes an inner feed surface that defines a feed cavity. A food pusheris removably positionable within the feed cavity. A feed tube lid ispivotally and removably mounted to the feed tube. The feed tube lid andfood pusher cover a mouth of the feed tube in a working position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofa preferred embodiment of the application, will be better understoodwhen read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes ofillustrating the lid of the present application, there is shown in thedrawings a preferred embodiment. It should be understood, however, thatthe application is not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a lid for a food processor inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a right-side elevational view of the lid shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a feed tube of the lid shown in FIG.1, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the lid shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the lid shownin FIG. 1, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partially exploded perspective view of the feedtube and a feed tube lid of the lid shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged top plan view of the feed tube lid shown in FIG.6; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, right-side elevational view of the feed tube lidand feed tube of the lid shown in FIG. 1 with the feed tube lid in aloading position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenienceonly and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower” and “upper”designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Thewords “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and awayfrom, respectively, the geometric center of the food processor lid, thefeed tube lid and designated parts thereof. The terminology includes theabove-listed words, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate likeelements throughout, there is shown in FIGS. 1-8, a preferred embodimentof a lid 10 for a bowl of a food processor (not shown) for processing arelatively large size or a large volume of foodstuff, in accordance withthe present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7, in the preferred embodiment, thelid 10 is removably mountable to a bowl (not shown) of a food processor.The lid 10 includes a top lid wall 10 a and a feed tube 12 extendingfrom the top lid wall 10 a. The feed tube 12 extends from the top wall12 a along a feed axis 14. In the preferred embodiment, a skirt orperipheral rim 10 b extends downwardly from the top lid wall 10 a. Theperipheral rim 10 b is releasably engageable with the bowl of the foodprocessor. In the preferred embodiment, the peripheral rim 10 b includesat least one securing groove 16 on an external side surface that engagesa securing lug (not shown) adjacent the mouth of the food processorbowl. The preferred groove 16 projects at an angle Δ measured fromhorizontal or a bottom plane of the peripheral rim 10 b. The preferredangle Δ is approximately twenty-two degrees (22°) and the groove 16 hasa length of approximately three centimeters (3 cm). The lid 10 is notlimited the above-described angle Δ or length and may have nearly anyangle or length that enables the lid 10 to be removably secured to thebowl. In addition, the lid 10 is not limited to at least one securinggroove 16 that secures the lid 10 to the bowl of the food processor andmay be secured to the bowl in any number of ways that would be obviousto one having ordinary skill in the food processor art. For example, thelid 10 may be secured to the food processor bowl through snap-fit, lugson the lid 10 that engage grooves on the bowl or fasteners that securethe lid 10 to the bowl.

The lid 10 has a generally circular-shape when viewed from the top orbottom and is preferably constructed of a transparent, molded StyreneAcrylonitrile (SAN) material. The lid 10 is not limited to beingtransparent, molded Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN) materials and may beconstructed of nearly any rigid, structural material that is able totake on the general shape of the lid 10 and withstand the normaloperating conditions of the lid 10. For example, the lid 10 may beconstructed of any polymeric, metal, glass or related material that isable to take on the general shape of the lid 10 and withstand the normaloperating conditions of the lid 10. The circular shape of the lid 10 ispreferred for securing the lid 10 to the circular mouth of the bowl asis obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art. The lid 10 is notlimited to circular configurations and may take on nearly any shape thatcovers the mouth of the bowl and is removably mountable to the bowl.

In the preferred embodiment, the top lid wall 10 a is generally planarand covers at least a portion of the mouth of the bowl when the lid 10is secured to thereto. The feed tube axis 14 is generally perpendicularto the top lid wall 10 a in the preferred embodiment and, therefore, thefeed tube 12 extends generally perpendicularly from the top lid wall 10a. The feed tube 12 and feed tube axis 14 are not limited toorientations that are perpendicular to the top lid wall 10 a. The feedtube 12 and the feed tube axis 14 may extend from the top lid wall 10 aat nearly any angle, as long as foodstuff positioned within the feedtube 12 can be fed along the feed axis 14 and into the bowl forprocessing.

In the preferred embodiment, a shoulder 13 is integrally molded with andextends between a side wall of the feed tube 12 and the top lid wall 10a adjacent a periphery of the lid 10. The shoulder 13 preferably extendsbeyond a periphery of the top lid wall 10 a. The shoulder 13 ispreferably integrally molded with the lid 10 and feed tube 12 and iscomprised of a pair of side-by-side ramp-shaped legs with arcing uppersurfaces. The shoulder 13 is preferably constructed of the same SANmaterial as the lid 10 and feed tube 12 but is not limited to the SANmaterial or to being integrally molded with the feed tube 12 and lid 10.The shoulder 13 is preferably used to provide leverage for pivoting thelid 10 relative to a bowl to releasably mount the lid 10 to the bowlusing the at least one securing groove 16. Specifically, the preferredgroove 16 is part of a bayonet-type securing mechanism that is well knowto those having skill in the art and requires twisting the lid 10relative to the bowl. The shoulder 13 is preferred to provide a leveragepoint for a user to grasp and twist the lid 10 relative to the bowl forbayonet locking. The lid 10 is not limited to the inclusion of theshoulder 13 or to the specific shape and construction of the shoulder 13described above.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the feed tube 12 includes an inner feedsurface 12 a defining a feed cavity 18 and a mouth 12 b comprising a topopen end for accessing the feed cavity 18. In the preferred embodiment,the feed tube 12 has a length that extends between the mouth 12 b and anoutlet feed end 12 c comprising a bottom open end at a base of the feedtube 12, which provides access to the bowl in a working position. Theinner feed surface 12 a defines and bounds the feed cavity 18 that islocated between the mouth 12 b, outlet feed end 12 c and inner feedsurface 12 a. Preferably, the feed tube 12 has a generally oval-shapedcross section taken along a horizontal plane that is caved-in to a pointat one side and is hollow to accommodate the feed cavity 18. Inoperation, foodstuff is received in the feed cavity 18 for processing.In the preferred embodiment, the feed cavity 18 is comparatively largerthan a feed cavity of a conventional food processor having theabove-described safety dimensions. Specifically, the feed cavity 18 ofthe lid 10 is generally large enough to receive an average sized humanhand therein or at least two potatoes. In the preferred embodiment, thefeed cavity 18 has a height H of approximately three and one-half inches(3½″), a width W of approximately five inches (5″), and a depth D ofapproximately two and three-quarter inches (2¾″). The feed cavity 18 isnot limited to the above-listed specific dimensions but is preferablylarger that the feed cavity 18 of the above-described conventional foodprocessor, it being understood that the feed cavity 18 could be largeror smaller and still function. The feed cavity 18 having theabove-listed preferred dimensions is generally large enough to processtwo average sized potatoes at one time and a relatively large volume offoodstuff for grating, slicing, juicing and/or similar food processingoperations.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4-7, the lid 10 further includes a feed tubelid 20 that is moveably secured to the mouth 12 b of the feed tube 12.In the preferred embodiment, the feed tube lid 20 is constructed of thetransparent, molded SAN material and has a general peripheral shape ofthe mouth 12 b of the feed tube 12. The feed tube lid 20 is not limitedto the transparent, molded SAN material and may be constructed of nearlyany rigid, structural material that is able to take on the general shapeof the feed tube lid 20 and withstand the normal operating conditions ofthe feed tube lid 20. For example, the feed tube lid 20 may beconstructed of any polymeric, metal, glass or related material that isable to take on the general shape of the feed tube lid 20 and withstandthe normal operating conditions of the feed tube lid 20.

In the preferred embodiment, the feed tube lid 20 includes a collar 22having an opening 22 a and a moveable cover 24 disposed over the opening22 a. The cover 24 is pivotally mounted to the collar 22 and the collar22 and cover 24 are in at least partial facing engagement. Preferably,the collar 22 and cover 24 are pivotally secured relative to each otherby a feed tube lid pin 26. The feed tube lid pin 26 pivotally securesthe cover 24 to the collar 22 such that the cover 24 is pivotablerelative to the collar 22 about a feed tube lid axis or a swivel axis28. The feed tube lid pin 26 is preferably constructed of thetransparent, molded SAN material and has the general shape of a pin witha relatively large disk-shaped head and a shaft section. The feed tubelid pin 26 is not limited to constructions using the SAN material or theabove-described shape and may be constructed of nearly any material andhave nearly any shape that would be obvious to one having ordinary skillin the art to pivotally secure the cover 24 to the collar 22. Forexample, the feed tube lid pin 26 may be constructed of a stainlesssteel material and shaped in the form of a rivet that permits pivotalmovement between the cover 24 and collar 22.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6-8, in the preferred embodiment, the collar22 has a generally planar upper surface 22 c through which the opening22 a extends and a lip 22 d that extends downwardly from the uppersurface 22 c at a periphery of the collar 22. The lip 22 d extends belowthe mouth 12 b and along a side of the feed tube 12 when the feed tubelid 20 is in the working position. The lip 22 d preferably extendsdownwardly a greater distance from the upper surface 22 c adjacent afront of the feed tube lid 20 than at sides of the feed tube lid 20. Thelip 22 d extends downwardly a greater distance at the front of the feedtube lid 20 such that a front of the mouth 12 b is covered by the lip 22d before the feed tube lid 20 is in contact with the entire mouth 12 bwhen pivoting the feed tube lid 20 into the working position. That is,when the feed tube lid 20 is pivoted from a loading position to theworking position, as will be described in greater detail below, theextended front lip 22 d blocks access to the feed cavity 18 before theupper surface 22 c is fully engaged with the mouth 12 b of the feed tube12. The lip 22 d and upper surface 22 c are preferably constructed ofthe SAN material and are preferably integrally molded with each otherbut are not so limited.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4-7, in the preferred embodiment, the feedtube pin 26 is ultrasonically welded to a stump 22 b that extends froman upper surface of the collar 22. Ultrasonic welding of the stump 22 bto the feed tube pin 26 fixes the feed tube pin 26 to the stump 22 b.The feed tube pin 26 is not limited to being ultrasonically welded tothe stump 22 b and may be force-fit, adhesively bonded, screwed,integrally molded or otherwise mounted to the stump 22 b in a mannerthat would be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art. Inaddition, the feed tube pin 26 is not limited to being mounted to thestump 22 b and may be mounted to the cover 24 and pivotable relative tothe collar 22 or may take on nearly any other configuration that permitspivotal movement between the cover 24 and collar 22.

The collar 22 preferably has a top wall that at least partially coversthe mouth 12 b of the feed tube and a peripheral collar skirt thatextends below the mouth 12 b adjacent an outer surface of the feed tube12 in a working position. The collar 22 preferably has thisconfiguration to prevent foodstuff from escaping the feed cavity 18 andto locate the feed tube lid 20 over the mouth 12 b of the feed tube 12in a working position. The collar 22 also includes a generallyrectangular projection extending from its rear that accommodatesmounting of the collar 24 to the feed tube 12 and pivoting of the collar24 relative to the feed tube 12, as will be described in greater detailbelow. The cover 24 has a generally kidney-shape in the preferredembodiment with a rounded projection at a rear side that accommodatesthe feed tube lid pin 26. Referring to FIG. 1, in a top view, the cover24 has a periphery that is similar to approximately three fourths of theperiphery of the collar 22. This configuration gives a clean appearanceto the feed tube lid 20 which is comprised of the combination of thecollar 22 and cover 24.

Referring to FIG. 7, in the preferred embodiment, the opening 22 a inthe collar 22 is eccentrically located with respect to the feed tubeaxis 14 and has a generally arcing oblong-shape. The opening 22 a isgenerally offset from the feed tube axis 14 to one side of the collar 22as will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art when theconfiguration and operation of the feed tube lid 20 is explained infurther detail below. The opening 22 a extends through the top wall ofthe cover 24 within the bounds of the skirt of the collar 22. Theopening 22 a is not limited to arcing oblong-shapes and may take onnearly any shape that falls within the bounds of the skirt of the collar22 and permits normal operation of the feed tube lid 20 as will bedescribed in greater detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 7, in the preferred embodiment, the cover 24is pivotable relative to the collar 22 between a first position (FIG. 1)and a second position (FIG. 7). The cover 24 includes a central hole 24a that is preferably positioned over the opening 22 a of the collar 22in the first and second positions and anywhere therebetween. The cover24 also includes a neck 24 b that defines the central hole 24 a. In thefirst position, the cover 24 is preferably positioned within theperiphery of the collar 22 when viewed from the top. In the secondposition, the cover 24 preferably extends at least partially beyond aperiphery of the collar 22. The cover 24 is pivotable relative to thecollar 22 to and between the first and second positions about the feedtube pin 26 and is at least partially guided in this pivotal movement byinteraction between the neck 24 b and the opening 22 a. The central hole24 a of the cover 24 has a generally cylindrical shape in the preferredembodiment, which has a diameter of approximately two and one-halfinches (2.5″), which is slightly smaller than the smallest width of theopening 22 a in the collar 22. The cover 24 is preferably pivotablebetween the first and second positions where the central hole 24 a ispositioned over the opening 22 a to provide at least partial access to auser through the central opening 24 a into the feed cavity 18. Limitedaccess to the feed cavity 18 through the central hole 24 a permitsloading of food into the feed cavity 18 while the feed tube lid 20 is inthe working position without permitting a user's fingers to access thebowl or come into contact with a rotating tool (not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, a food pusher 30 is movably mounted onthe feed tube lid 20. In the preferred embodiment, the food pusher 30 isconstructed of the same SAN material as the feed tube 12 and feed tubelid 20 and has a generally hollow cylindrical shape with an upper pusherlip 30 a and a lower pusher wall 30 b. The food pusher 30 is not limitedto constructions comprising the SAN material and may be constructed ofnearly any rigid material that is able to take on the general shape ofthe pusher and perform the normal operating functions of the pusher, asis described in greater detail below. For example, the food pusher 30may be constructed of any polymeric, metal, glass or related material,similar to the lid 10 and feed tube lid 20.

Preferably, the food pusher 30 is slideably disposed in the central hole24 a of the cover 24 during operation and is guided in its movement bythe neck 24 b. The outside diameter of the body of the food pusher 30 ispreferably at least slightly smaller than the central hole 24 a suchthat the food pusher 30 is slideable into and out of the central hole 24a. However, the pusher lip 30 a has an outside diameter that is largerthan the central hole 24 a such that the food pusher 30 does not slidecompletely through the central hole 24 a and slides only to a pointwhere the lip 30 a engages the neck 24 b the cover 24 (FIG. 5). In theworking position, the food pusher 30 extends through the central hole 24a in the cover 24 and the opening 22 a in the collar 22 to preferably,completely cover the mouth 12 b of the feed tube 12. The feed tube lid20 and food pusher 30 cover the mouth 12 b of the feed tube 12 such thata user is unable to access the feed cavity 18 and rotating tool when thefeed tube lid 20 and pusher 30 are in the working position.

As will be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art, the foodpusher 30 is slideable through the central hole 24 a to urge foodstufftoward the outlet feed end 12 c of the feed tube 12 and, therefore, hasa height of approximately three and one-half inches (3.5″) in thepreferred embodiment. The food pusher 30 is not limited to having thispreferred height and may have a smaller or larger height thataccommodates the manipulation of food within the feed cavity 18. Thefood pusher 30 preferably does not have a height that is large enough toextend out of the feed cavity 18 such that the food pusher 30 isengageable by the tool during processing when the pusher lip 30 aengages the neck 24 b of the cover 24.

In the preferred embodiment, the food pusher 30 includes a plurality offood spikes 32 on its pusher wall 30 b that extend outwardly from thepusher wall 30 b. The food spikes 32 preferably have pointed ends andare used to engage and grip foodstuff within the feed cavity 18 suchthat the foodstuff is at least partially grasped by the food spikes 32.The food pusher 30 is not limited to the inclusion of food spikes 32 orthe described cylindrical shape. The food pusher 30 may be constructedof nearly any shape that permits slideable movement relative to the feedtube lid 20 for manipulating foodstuff within the feed cavity 18 andpreferably pushing foodstuff toward the outlet feed end 12 c. Forexample, the food pusher 30 may have a generally square shape and thecentral hole 24 a and neck 24 b may have a generally square shape toaccommodate the slideable movement of the food pusher 30 therein.

Preferably, the food pusher 30, cover 24 and collar 22 completely coverthe mouth 12 b of the feed tube 12 when the feed tube lid 20 and foodpusher 30 are in the working position. Covering the mouth 12 b not onlyblocks access to the feed cavity 18 and bowl during operation but blocksfoodstuff that may splatter out of the bowl and into the feed cavity 18from escaping from the feed cavity 18.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 8, in the preferred embodiment, thefeed tube lid 20 is pivotally mounted to the feed tube 12. The feed tubelid 20 is preferably pivotable between the working position (FIG. 1) atleast partially covering the mouth 12 b of the feed tube 12 and aloading position (FIG. 8) where the mouth 12 b is exposed. In theworking position, the feed tube lid 20 is pivoted such that the collar22 is in partial facing engagement with the mouth 12 b of the feed tube12. In the loading position, the feed tube lid 20 is pivoted such thatthe collar 22 is out of engagement with the mouth 12 b of the feed tube12. In the working position, the feed cavity 18 is covered such that auser may not gain access to the feed cavity 18, other than through thecentral hole 24 a. However, in the loading position, the feed cavity 18is exposed such that a large sized foodstuff or a relatively largevolume of foodstuff may be loaded into the feed cavity 18 through themouth 12 b.

The feed tube lid 20 is preferably pivotable about at least one pivotpin 34 disposed on the feed tube 12. In the preferred embodiment, the atleast one pivot pin 34 is comprised of a pair of pivot pins 34 that arelocated on either side of a pair of feed tube walls 36 that extendupwardly from the top lid wall 10 a to a rear of the mouth 12 b of thefeed tube 14. The pivot pins 34 preferably have a generallycylindrically shape and extend from opposite sides of the feed tubewalls 36. The feed tube walls 36 and pivot pins 34 are preferablyconstructed of the same SAN material as the feed tube 12, as wasdescribed above and are preferably integrally molded with the feed tube12. However, the pivot pins 34 and feed tube walls 36 are not limitedsuch constructions and may be constructed of nearly any material andhave nearly any shape that is able to take on the general shape of thepivot pins 34 and feed tube walls 26 and withstand the normal operatingconditions of the pivot pins 34 and feed tube walls 36, as is describedin greater detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5-7, in the preferred embodiment, the cover 24is pivotable between the first position where the food pusher 30 islocated adjacent a center 72 of the feed cavity 18 and a secondposition, where the food pusher 30 is located adjacent a compacting side70 of the feed cavity 18, when the food pusher 30 is in its workingposition. The pivotable movement of the cover 24 relative to the collar22 permits the food pusher 30 to manipulate foodstuff in different areasof the feed cavity 18. For example, in the first position, the foodpusher 30 is able to manipulate and preferably push foodstuff that islocated adjacent a center 70 of the feed cavity 18 toward the outletfeed end 12 c of the feed tube 14. In the second position of the cover24, the food pusher 30 is able to manipulate the foodstuff that islocated adjacent the compacting side 70 of the feed cavity 18.Therefore, the food pusher 30 is able to engage and manipulate foodstuffwithin various parts of the relatively large feed cavity 18. If thecover 24 were not pivotable to allow coverage for the food pusher 30 indifferent areas of the feed cavity 18, foodstuff that is positioned invarious portions of the feed cavity 18 would not be engageable by thefood pusher 30 and may be difficult to manipulate in the enlarged feedcavity 18. The cover 24 is not limited to pivotal movement between thedescribed first and second positions and may move in nearly anydirection relative to the collar 22 to position the food pusher 30 innearly any area of the feed cavity 18. For example, the cover 24 may bemodified to pivot beyond the first position such that the food pusher 30is located adjacent a loading side 74 of the feed cavity 18 tomanipulate foodstuff that is located adjacent the loading side 74 of thefeed cavity 18.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 7, in the preferred embodiment, the cover 24includes a peripheral groove 38 with a first groove end 38 a and asecond groove end 38 b. In addition, the collar 22 includes a stop 40that is at least partially positioned within the peripheral groove 38.In the preferred embodiment, the peripheral groove 38 is constructed ofa constant cross-sectional groove in a portion of the periphery of thecover 24 between the first and second groove ends 38 a, 38 b. The stop40 preferably has a generally L-shaped cross-section with a leg thatextends into the peripheral groove 38 to both secure the cover 24 to thecollar 22 and limit the pivotable movement of the cover 24 relative tothe collar 22 between the first and second positions. The stop 40 incooperation with the feed tube lid pin 26 pivotally mounts the cover 24to the collar 22. The stop 40 is preferably constructed of the same SANmaterial as the feed tube lid 20 and is a separate component that isfixed to the collar 22. The stop 40 is not limited to constructionshaving the same material as the feed tube lid 20 and being a separatecomponent with respect to the collar 22. For example, the stop 40 may beconstructed of a different material than the collar 22 that isintegrally formed with the collar 22 as long as the stop 40 is able totake on the general shape of the stop 40 and withstand the normaloperation of the lid 10.

The stop 40 is preferably in contact with the first groove end 38 a whenthe cover 24 is in the first position and is in contact with the secondgroove end 38 b when the cover 24 is in the second position.Accordingly, when the stop 40 is in contact with the first groove end 38a the central hole 24 a is positioned generally over the center 72 ofthe feed cavity 18 and when the stop 40 is in contact with the secondgroove end 38 b, the central hole 24 a is positioned generally over thecompacting side 70 of the feed cavity 18. The grove 38 and stop 40preferably limit the movement of the cover 24 relative to the collar 22between the first and second positions such that the central hole 24 ispositionable over the center 72 and compacting side 70 of the feedcavity 18, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the food pusher 30 is moveable relativeto the feed tube 12 in first and second directions in the workingposition. Specifically, the movement of the food pusher 30 in the firstdirection is generally parallel to the feed tube axis 14 and themovement of the food pusher 30 in the second direction is generallyperpendicular to the feed tube axis 14. The preferred food pusher 30 isslideable within the central hole 24 a, guided by the neck 24 b, to urgefoodstuff within the feed cavity 18 toward the outlet feed end 12 c orout of the central hole 24 a, each in the first direction. In addition,in the preferred embodiment, the food pusher 30 is pivotable along withthe neck 24 b while positioned within the central hole 24 a along an arcbetween the first and second positions of the cover 24. This seconddirection is generally perpendicular to the first direction. That is,the food pusher 30 may be moved vertically in the neck 24 b and alongthe described arc to different positions within the feed cavity 18 whilethe lid 20 and food pusher 30 are in the working position covering themouth 12 b. Movement of the food pusher 30 to the various positions inthe feed cavity 18 allows nearly complete coverage for the food pusher30 within the feed cavity 18 to manipulate foodstuff therein. The foodpusher 30 is not limited in this arcing movement of the cover 24relative to the collar 22 when moving in the second direction.

In the preferred embodiment, the central neck 24 b guides movement ofthe food pusher 30 in the first direction. Preferably, the outsidesurface of the cylindrical food pusher 30 is slideable in the generallycylindrical central hole 24 a of the neck 24 b. However, as wasdescribed above, the food pusher 30 is not limited to cylindricalconfigurations and the central hole 24 a is also not so limited. Thefood pusher 30, neck 24 b and central hole 24 a may take on nearly anyshape that permits movement of the food pusher 30 in the first directionrelative to the feed tube lid 20.

In the preferred embodiment, the feed tube lid 20 is removable from themouth 12 b of the feed tube 12. The feed tube lid 20 may be pivotablerelative to the mouth 12 b between the working and loading positionssuch that the feed tube lid 20 is removable from the feed tube 12 fromthe loading position. However, the feed tube lid 20 is not limited tosuch configurations and may, for example, be snap-fit to the feed tubemouth 12 b such that the feed tube lid 20 is removed from the mouth 12 bby releasing the snap-fit to alternatively cover or expose the mouth 12b.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the feed tube 12 includes a continuousinner surface 12 a that defines the enlarged feed cavity 18. In thepreferred embodiment, the feed tube walls 36 that support the pivot pins34 are positioned outside the feed cavity 18 and a moveable gate 42 ispositioned entirely within the enlarged feed cavity 18. The moveablegate 42 is moveable within the feed cavity 18 between an open positionand a compacting position. The gate 42 is preferably pivotable withinthe feed cavity 18 about the swivel axis 28. The moveable gate 42includes a compacting surface 42 a that is used to urge foodstuff towardthe compacting side 70 of the feed cavity 18.

In the preferred embodiment, the movable gate 42 is constructed of thesame SAN material as was described above for the feed tube 12 and foodpusher 30 and has a generally half-cylindrical shape. The moveable gate42 is not limited to the SAN material and may be constructed of nearlyany material that is able to take on the general shape moveable gate 42and perform the normal operating functions of the moveable gate 42. Thecompacting side 42 a of the gate 42 is preferably facing the food pusher30 when the food pusher 30 is positioned within the feed cavity 18 and aconvex side 42 b of the gate 42 is preferably facing away from the foodpusher 30 when the food pusher 30 is in the feed cavity 18. The gate 42is not limited to half-cylindrically-shapes and may have nearly anyshape that permits movement of the movable gate 42 within the feedcavity 18.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, in the preferred embodiment, the feedtube 12 includes a feed tube slot 44 having an open first end 44 aadjacent the mouth 12 b of the feed tube 12 and a closed second end 44 badjacent the outlet feed end 12 c of the feed tube 12. In the preferredembodiment, the slot 44 is defined by a feed tube pillar 50 that extendsbetween the feed tube walls 36 and forms a portion of the feed tube 12.The slot 44 is preferably at least partially exposed to the feed cavity18 between the first and second ends 44 a, 44 b. The feed tube slot 44is comprised of a generally cylindrical tube-shaped void in the feedtube 12 formed between the feed tube walls 36. When the feed tube lid 20is in the working position, the feed tube slot 44 is completely coveredby a projection 52 of the feed tube lid 20.

In the preferred embodiment, a hub 46 is removably positionable withinthe slot 44 and is secured to the moveable gate 42. The hub 46preferably has a half-cylindrical shape and is secured to the moveablegate 42 along an edge of the gate 42 that is positioned adjacent thefeed tube slot 44 by a bar 76. In the preferred embodiment, the hub 46is integrally formed with the moveable gate 42 and bar 76 and each isconstructed of the same SAN material as the lid 10. The hub 46 and bar76 is not limited to the SAN material and may be constructed of nearlyany material that can be formed into the general shape of the hub 46 andbar 76 and withstand the normal operating conditions of the hub 46 andbar 76. In the preferred embodiment, the hub 46 is slideable into theslot 44 such that a lower end of the hub 46 contacts the second closedend 44 b of the slot 44 and an upper end of the hub 46 is positionedbelow the open first end 44 a. The hub 46 preferably slideably fitswithin the slot 44 and is pivotable therein to secure the hub 46 thereinand to pivotally mount and locate the moveable gate 42 within the feedcavity 18.

The hub 46 and attached moveable gate 42 of the preferred embodiment arebiased toward the compacting position by a torsion spring 48 adjacentthe closed second end 44 b of the feed tube slot 40. The torsion spring48 is preferably secured at one end to the moveable gate 42 or,specifically to the hub 46 and at the second end to the feed tube 12 or,specifically to the slot 44. The torsion spring 48 is constructed of amaterial and has spring properties that would be obvious to one havingordinary skill in the art taking into consideration the operation of themovable gate 42. The gate 42 is not limited to being biased toward thecompacting position by the torsion spring 48. However, the torsionspring 48 is preferred such that the gate 42 is constantly urged topivot toward the compacting side 70 such that foodstuff within the feedcavity 18 is urged by the compacting side 42 a of the gate 42 toward thecompacting side 70 of the feed cavity 18. The torsion spring 48 biasesthe gate 42 toward the compacting side 70 of the feed cavity 18 so thatfoodstuff is consolidated therein. Therefore, the food pusher 30 is ableto contact and urge the foodstuff toward the outlet feed end 12 c as thegate 42 urges the foodstuff toward the compacting side 70 of the feedcavity 18.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the preferred embodiment, a sub-feed cavity 77is defined by the compacting side 42 a of the gate 42 and at least aportion of the inner surface 12 a of the feed tube 12. It is preferredthat the sub-feed cavity 77 is formed by the gate 42 and a portion ofthe inner surface 12 a of the feed tube 12 adjacent the compacting side70 of the feed cavity 18 for consolidation of the processing foodstufftherein. When the foodstuff is consolidated within the sub-feed cavity77, the food pusher 30 may be positioned over the sub-feed cavity 77 tourge the compacted foodstuff toward the outlet feed end 12 c of the feedtube 12.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 5 and 7, in the preferred embodiment, the foodpusher 30 substantially fills the sub-feed cavity 77 when the moveablegate 42 is in the compacting position and the pusher lip 30 a is engagedwith the neck 24 b of the cover 24. The food pusher 30 is not limited toa size that substantially fills the sub-feed cavity 77 when the moveablegate 42 is in the compacting position and the pusher lip 30 b is engagedwith the neck 24 b. For example, the food pusher 30 may be smaller thanthe sub-feed cavity 77 and still function to urge foodstuff toward theoutlet feed end 12 c. In addition, the food pusher 30 may have variousshapes and sizes that do not substantially fill the sub-feed cavity 77in the compacting and storage positions, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the collar 22 of the feed tube 12includes the hinge projection 52 extending from its periphery adjacentthe feed tube lid pin 26. The hinge projection 52 includes a generallyplanar top surface and a pair of hinge legs 52 a that extend downwardlyfrom the top surface. The hinge legs 52 a accommodate a pair or U-shapedchannels 54 that are complementary to the pivot pins 34 extending fromthe feed tube walls 36. The feed tube lid 20 is removably mounted to thefeed tube 12 through releasable engagement between the channels 54 andpivot pins 34. The feed tube lid 20 is pivotable relative to the feedtube 12 about the channels 54 by inserting each of the pivot pins 34into an open end of the channels 54 until each of the pivot pins 34rests in a closed end of the channel 54. The feed tube lid 20 is notlimited to releasable, pivotable engagement with the feed tube 12 andmay be snap-fit, bolted, fixed to or integrally molded with the feedtube 12. However, it is preferred that the feed tube lid 20 be pivotablerelative to the feed tube 12 such that the mouth 12 b can bealternatively exposed or closed during operation of the lid 10.

In the preferred embodiment, the channels 54 and pivot pins 34 areintegrally constructed with the hinge projection 52 and feed tube walls36, respectively. The channels 54 and pivot pins 34 are not limited tointegral constructions with these components and may be flip-floppedsuch that the pivot pins 34 are associated with the collar 22 and thechannels 54 are associated with the feed tube walls 36. In addition, thefeed tube lid 10 is not limited to being pivotable relative to the feedtube 12 through the use of the channels 54 and pivot pins 34. Forexample, the feed tube lid 20 may be pivotable relative to the feed tube12 using a butterfly hinge or nearly any type of hinge that permitspivotable movement of the feed tube lid 20 relative to the feed tube 12and would be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art.

In the preferred embodiment, the hinge legs 52 a further include a pairof guide pins 56 that extend therefrom toward the feed tube walls 36 andthe feed tube walls 36 include arc-shaped grooves 58 facing outwardlytherefrom. The guide pins 56 guide the pivotal movement of the feed tubelid 20 between the working and a loading position. Specifically, whenthe feed tube lid 20 is mounted to the feed tube 12, the guide pins 56are slideably positioned within the arc-shaped grooves 58. When thepivot pins 34 are engaged with the channels 54 and the guide pins 56 areengaged with the arc-shaped grooves 58, the feed tube lid 20 isremovable from the feed tube 12 only from the loading position. That is,when the channels 54, pivot pins 34, guide pins 56 and arc-shapedgrooves 58 mount the collar 22 to the feed tube 12, the feed tube lid 20is not releaseable from the feed tube 12 in any position other than theloading position or in a position relatively close to the loadingposition. It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the artthat this pivotable engagement of the feed tube lid 20 to the feed tube12 is not limiting, as was described above, but is preferred so that thefeed tube lid 20 is only removable from the feed tube 12 from theloading position to secure the feed tube lid 20 to the feed tube 12 inthe working position and any position between the working and loadingpositions.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 5-8, in operation, the lid 10 is generallystored in its working position as is shown in FIG. 1. The lid 10 ispositioned on the bowl of the food processor by engaging the securinggroove 16 with a complementary groove or pin on the bowl. The feed tubelid 20 is released from engagement with the feed tube 12 by pulling on alid release tab 60 that releases from a hook edge 62 of the feed tube12. Upon release of the lid release tab 60, the feed tube lid 20 ispivoted from its working position (FIG. 1) to its loading position (FIG.8) where the top wall of the hinge projection 52 engages a spacer 64between the feed tube walls 36. In the loading position, the pivot pins34 are engaged with a closed end of the channel 54 and the guide pins 56are positioned at a second end 58 b of the arc-shaped groove 58. Fromthe loading position, the guide pins 56 are disengaged from thearc-shaped grooves 58, the pivot pins 34 are disengaged from the channel54 through the open end of the channel 54 and the feed tube lid 20 isremoved from the feed tube 12. Removal of the feed tube lid 20 from thefeed tube 12 simplifies cleaning of the feed tube lid 20 and insertionof foodstuff into the open feed tube mouth 12 b.

In the preferred embodiment, the lid release tab 60 is pivotally mountedto the feed tube lid 20 and releasably secures the feed tube lid 20 inthe working position by releasably engaging the feed tube 12. The lidrelease tab 60 is preferably constructed of an injection moldedacrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material and is hingedly mountedto the collar 22. The lid release tab 60 is not limited to beingconstructed of ABS material or to being hingedly mounted to the collar22. The lid release tab 60 may be constructed of nearly any generallyrigid material that can take on the generally shape of the lid releasetab 60 and withstand the normal operating conditions of the lid releasetab 60. In addition, the lid release tab 60 may be mounted to anyportion of or in any manner to the feed tube 20, as long as the lidrelease tab 60 is able to releasably secure the feed tube lid 20 to thefeed tube 12 in the working position. For example, the lid release tab60 may be integrally molded with the feed tube 12 and pivotally mountedto the feed tube 12 by a living hinge (not shown) to releasably securethe feed tube lid 20 in the working position.

When the feed tube lid 20 is in the loading position or removed from thefeed tube 12, the gate 42 is urged against the bias of the torsionspring 48 toward the loading side 74 of the feed cavity 18. Foodstuff ofany size, in the preferred embodiment oversized foodstuff or a large ofvolume of foodstuff (not shown), is placed into the feed cavity 18 onthe compacting side 42 a of the gate 42. The gate 42 is held against thebias of the torsion spring 48 until the entire foodstuff, for example,two potatoes, is loaded into the feed cavity 18. The gate 42 is releasedto apply a pressure on a side of the foodstuff such that the compactingside 42 a urges the foodstuff toward the compacting side 70 of the feedcavity 18. The feed tube lid 20 is mounted to the feed tube 12 and ispivoted from its loading position to its working position where the lidrelease tab 60 engages the hook edge 62 of the feed tube 12. The foodpusher 30 is inserted into the central hole 24 a of the cover 24 untilthe food spikes 32 engage the foodstuff within the feed cavity 18.

The food processor is powered and a processing tool (not shown) beginsto process the foodstuff. The food pusher 30 urges the foodstuff towardthe tool such that a bottom of the foodstuff is processed by the tool.The food pusher 30 may be used to manipulate foodstuff in various partsof the feed cavity 18 by moving the cover 24 relative to the collar 22.Specifically, referring to FIG. 7, the food pusher 30 generally pushesfoodstuff that is positioned near the center 72 of the feed cavity 18when the cover 24 is in the first position. Alternatively, the foodpusher 30 pushes foodstuff that is adjacent the compacting side 70 ofthe feed cavity 18 when the cover 24 is in the second position. When thefood pusher 30 has urged all of the foodstuff in the compacting side 70of the feed cavity 18 toward the processing tool and out of the feedcavity 18, the food pusher 30 is moved upwardly in the first directionout of the feed cavity 18 and the gate 42 urges the remaining foodstuffwithin the feed cavity 18 toward the compacting side 70. In thepreferred embodiment, the gate 42 only pivots to a position where thefood pusher 30 may be urged parallel to the feed axis 14 into the feedcavity 18 through the central hole 24 a when the cover 24 is in thesecond position. Accordingly, the preferred gate 42 does not pivot to aposition where it blocks movement of the food pusher 30 in the firstdirection into the compacting side 70 of the feed cavity 18.

When all of the foodstuff within the feed cavity 18 and sub-feed cavity77 have been processed, the food pusher 30 is removed from the centralhole 24 a and power is cut to the food processor. The lid release tab 60is pulled, thereby releasing the hook edge 62 and permitting the feedtube lid 20 to pivot toward the loading position. The pivoting of thefeed tube lid 20 is guided by the engagement of the channels 54 with thepivot pins 34 and the movement of the guide pins 56 within thearc-shaped grooves 58. When the guide pins 56 reach the second end 58 b,the feed tube lid 20 is in the loading position and may be removed fromthe feed tube 12 by moving the feed tube lid 20 upwardly and away fromthe pivot pins 34 such the pivot pins 34 are released from the open endof the channel 54. The gate 42 is grasped and pulled upwardly such thatthe bar 76 and hub 46 are released from feed tube pillar 50 through itsopen upper end. The remaining components of the lid 10 are then releasedfrom the food processor bowl and all of the components may be cleaned.Alternatively, the lid 10 can be immediately released from the bowl sothat a user can gain immediate access to the processed foodstuff foruse.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A lid for a bowl of a food processor for processing a relativelylarge size or a large volume of foodstuff comprising: a top lid wall; afeed tube extending from the top lid wall along a feed axis, the feedtube including a continuous inner feed surface defining a feed cavity; amoveable gate positioned entirely within the feed cavity, the moveablegate being pivotable about a hub on a swivel axis, the movable gatepivotable within the feed cavity between an open position and acompacting position, the swivel axis being generally parallel to thefeed axis.
 2. The lid of claim 1 further comprising: a feed tube lidmovably secured to the feed tube.
 3. The lid of claim 1 wherein the feedtube lid includes a collar having an opening and a moveable coverdisposed over the opening.
 4. The lid of claim 1 wherein the hub ispositioned within a portion of the feed tube.
 5. A lid for a bowl of afood processor for processing a relatively large size or a large volumeof foodstuff comprising: a top lid wall; a feed tube extending from thetop lid wall along a feed axis, the feed tube including a continuousinner feed surface that defines a feed cavity; a food pusher beingmovable generally parallel to the feed axis within the feed tube; and amoveable gate positioned within the feed cavity, the moveable gate beingpivotable about a hub on a swivel axis, the movable gate pivotablewithin the feed cavity between an open position and a compactingposition, the swivel axis being generally parallel to the feed axis,wherein the entire movable gate is positioned entirely within the feedcavity.
 6. The lid of claim 5 further wherein the feed tube includes afeed tube slot and the hub is removably positionable within the slot.